Exerciser.



No. 764,118. PATENTED JULY 5, 1904.

M. DUFFNER. BXERGISBR.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.14. 1903.

N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES: 6? X5 INVENTOR W-flw W UNITED STATES To all whom it ntrty concern:

Be it known that I, MATTHEW DUFFNER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Exercisers,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to exercising-machines; and it has for its object to provide a novel device which may be utilized as a dumbbell or as a pulling-machine, said device being applicable to a bracket suitably positioned and supported on a wall or other retaining device.

Furthermore, an object of the invention is to provide means for permitting the rotation of the ends of the dumb-bell or the balls thereof in a manner to minimize the wear of the parts.

Furthermore, an object of the invention is to produce an exercising-machine in which the dumb-bell can be readily removed from the bracket or applied thereto and the bearing thereof held against rotation in a manner to permit the free rotation of the weights and their shaft.

Furthermore, an object of the invention is to provide novel means for checking the rtation of the shaft with the accidental release of one of the handles of the pulling-strips in order to prevent the breaking of the said strips, which might result by reason of the movement of the shaft.

Furthermore, an object of the invention is to produce a machine of the character noted which will possess advantages in points of simplicity, efficiency, and durability, proving at the same time comparatively inexpensive to produce and maintain.

IVith the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists in the details of construction and in the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

In describing the invention in detail reference will be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification,wherein like characters denote corresponding parts in the several views, and in which- Figure l is a view in perspective of an ex- Patented July 5, 1904.

PATENT OFFIcE.

MATTHEI/V DUFFN ER, 0 F ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

E X E R C IS E R SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters'Patent No. 764,118, dated July 5, 1904. I Application filed October 14, 1903- Serial No. 176,953. (No model.)

ercising-machine mounted in place for operation. Fig. 2 is a view in elevation, partly in section, showing the dumb-bell detached from the bracket. Fig. 3-is a view ingelevation, taken from one end, the ball beinghdetached in order to show the bracket and the means for retaining: the dumb-bell in place in the bracket. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line l l of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the bracket andv exercising-machine in its assembled form. Fig. 6 is an end view showing a modified form of hanger intended to be employed when the bracket or hanger is suspended from the ceiling.- In the drawings, 1 denotes a hollow handle, terminating at each end in a bushing 2, having its outer surfaces polygonal, and the said bushings are provided with holes 3 to receive the shaft 4. The end of each bushing has an annular channel 5, forming a chase or ballway for the reception of the antifrictionballs 6. The shaft 4 is supported on the balls, making a ball-bearing for the shaft in order, as stated, to minimize the friction and wear on the parts. Each end of the shaft has weights 7 which are preferably round and have centrally apertures for the reception of the shaft 4. One end of the shaft is provided with diverging and tapered fingers 8, which are embedded in the ball in order to insure'the rotation of the ball as the shaft is rotated. Nuts 9 are threaded on the ends of the shaft for adjusting the weights 7 against the balls 6 in order to take up lost motion.

The casing 1 is provided with a. longitudinally-disposed slot 10, over which projects the flexible pulls 11,the said pulls being wound on the shaft A in opposite directions in order that one pull will be wound on the shaft while the other is being unwound. Each pull is provided with a handle 12 of any suitable construction. A buflFer-spring 13 is secured to each handle and is wound around the pull for a suitable distance in order that the end of each buffer-spring may contact with the casing in case either of the handles is dropped in operation and the pull is wound on the shaft before the operator can regain control of it.

It will be observed that the device as described may be utilized as a dumb-bell, as the casing is of proper size to permit its being used in this Way; but where the pulls are utilized to rotate the weights I employ brackets or hangers in which the dumb-bell is mounted. In order to carry this idea into practical form, I employ brackets 14, which may be secured to the wall or other support, and each of said brackets has a seat for the reception of the polygonal bushings of the casing. In order to retain these bushings in their proper position in the brackets, I employ retainingblocks 15, which are held in place by springs 16. It will thus be seen that the casing is prevented from rotating, and it is held for the operator to conveniently grasp the handles of the pulls, which are alternately operated by the user.

As a modification of the bracket 14: I may employ hangers 17, depending from the ceiling and provided with seats 18 for the bushings, the said shaft pulls and easing operating in this form the same as described in connection with the disclosure of the device, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the only difference being that the slot in the casing would be turned to permit the pulls to hang vertically.

The construction, operation, and advantages will, it is thought, be understood from the foregoing description, it being noted that various changes may be made in the proportions and details of construction for successfully carrying the invention into practice without departing from its scope.

Having fully described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an exercising-machine, a casing, a shaft mounted to rotate therein, weights on the ends of the shaft, a bracket in which the casing is mounted, pullson the shaft extending through the casing and buffers on the pulls asand for the purpose described.

2. In an exercising apparatus, a casing, a bracket in which the casing is mounted, means for preventing rotation of the casing in thr bracket the said casing having annular groove forming hallways, a shaft mounted in the easing, balls in the ways on which the shaft rides, Weights on the ends of the shaft bearing against the balls and pulls on the shaft extending through the casing.

3. In an exercising apparatus, a casing, a bracket in which the casing is mounted, means for preventing rotation of the casing in the bracket, the said casing having annular grooves forming hallways, a shaft mounted in the casing, balls in the Ways on which the shaft rides, weights on the ends of the shaft bearing against the balls, pulls on the shaft extending through the casing and buflfcrs on the ends of the pulls.

4. In an exercising device, a casing, a shaft mounted therein the said casing having ballways in its ends, balls seated in the ballways, a shaft in the casing, weights on the shaft adjusted longitudinally thereof and bearing against the balls, pulls wound in opposite directions of the shaft and projecting through the casing, and supports for the casing and means for preventing rotation of the casing in the supports. 7

5. In an exercising device, a casing, a shaft mounted therein the said casing having ballways in its ends, balls seated in the hallways,

a shaft in the casing, weights on the shaft adjusted longitudinally thereof and bearing 7 against the balls, pulls wound in opposite directions of the shaft and buffers on the ends of the pulls adapted to contact with the casing.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses, this 23d day of 8 September, 1903.

MATTHEW. DUFFNER.

WVitnesses:

R. P. TANNEHILL, LAFAYETTE VViLLs. 

